Apparatus for the sterilization and sterile filling of vessels and the like in one continuous working process



June 4, 1935 F. STEGEMANN APPARATUS FOR THE STERILIZATION AND STERILEFILLING OF VESSELS AND THE LIKE IN ONE CONTINUOUS WORKING PROCESS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 5, 1953 I I 7 2 2 8722; fz dfemdnm June 4,1935. 4 STEGEMANN 2,003,869

APPARATUS FOR THE STERILIZATION AND STERILE FILLING 0F VESSELS AND THELIKE IN ONE CONTINUOUS WORKING PROCESS Filed July 5, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet2 Patented June 4, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIKE IN PROCESS ONECONTEN'UGUS WORKING Friedrich Stegemann, Bad Eireuznach, Germany,

assignor to Seitz-Werke G. in. b. H., Kreuznach, Germany, a. firmApplication July 3, 1933, Serial No. 678,944 In Germany July 14, 1932 17Claims.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the sterilization andsterile filling of vessels and the like in one continuous workingprocess. Anapparatus or device of this kind is described in the U. S.patent application Ser. No. 541,499, filed June 1, 1931 and the mainobject of the present invention is to further improve such apparatus.

According to the above named application vessels, barrels, casks and thelike are sterilized and sterile filled in one continuous procedurewithout separating the filling member from the cask or the like to befilled. The treatment consistsin sterilizing by means of a disinfectant,scavenging by means or" a sterile gas, thereby producing acounter-pressure suitable for the filling process, and filling the caskwith the liquid in question, for instance with beer, wine or the like.The commencement and the termination of the sterilizjng process and thecommencement of the scavenging process are controlled automatically assoon as the filling member has been introduced into the cask, whereasthe beginning of the filling operation and consequently the interruptionof the scavenging preferably is controlled manually.

When the inlet valve for the fluid is operated by hand care must betaken not to stop the scavengin procedure as long as injuriousremainders of the disinfectant still are present in the cask. In orderto avoid such occurrences under all circumstances the inlet valve of theapparatus is according to the present invention equipped with a timedlocking device or cooperates with an optical or acoustic signal device,which indicates the end of the scavenging operation.

The said timed signal devices or the timed devices used for locking thefilling member for a definite period and for subsequently opening samemay or" course be of any suitable design. However, I prefer to controlthe operation of the looking or signal device by means of a mechanismcomprising a cylinder and an appertaining piston. The cylinder or thepiston releases and actuates the locking device or actuates the signaldevice and when the filling member is lowered into th cask to be filledthe cylinder or piston partakes in the movement, whereby a spring istensioned, which subsequently returns the cylinder or piston to its oriinal position. This return movement is counter-acted by a brake fluid.The release of the locking device or the signal device takes place assoon as the cylinder or piston has reached its original position, i. e.afterthe elapse of a predetermined period. I

The locking or signal device may of course also be operated by means ofa control mechanism which is driven by a spring or a dead Weight. Also asand glass may be used as control device. Another control mechanismconsists of two communicating receptacles one of which is filled with asuitable medium. When this medium is allowed to flow into the otherreceptacle the receptacles will finally tilt over, and this tiltingmovement may be utilized for tripping the locking device or the signaldevice.

A locking device and a signal device can be used together in the sameapparatus. The improved device is illustrated diagrammatically and byway of example on the accompanying drawing, which shows a sterilizingand filling device for beer barrels and the like in which a tensionedspring returns a piston or a piston cylinder to its normal position andthereby actuates a locking device or a signal.

Fig. l is an axial section on line 1-1 of Fig. 2 showing the lockingdevice in looking position.

Fig. 2 is a lateral elevational View of the same apparatus. Also in thisfigure the locking device is shown in looking position.

Fig. 3 shows the locking device in released state.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line IV.IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line VV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a side view showing a device for preventing premature openingof the filling valve.

Figs. '7 to 9 are side views showing the signal means in which theswitch member is shown in different positions.

The filling device comprises a cylinder I00 of which only the lower partis shown. A piston E55 enclosed in the cylinder I08 can be lifted bymeans of compressed air. The compressed air is introduced through a tube32 and through a bore in the bottom I94 of the cylinder.' By means of avalve I05 and a lever I06 the bore may be brought into communicationwith the tube 532 or with an escape opening (not shown).

it? denotes the piston rod the upper end of which is fixed in the pistonI0 I. To the lower end of the piston rod an arm I53 is attached themovements of which are guided by means of sleeves I09 or the like whichcooperate with vertical guide tubes I I0 and I 5 l The upper ends ofthese tubes are fixed to the bottom of the cylinder I66. The cylinderbottom is as usual equipped with a stufiing box through which the pistonrod is passed.

Two cheeks i I2 are connected to the arm I078 bycasting and the lowerends of these checks are interconnected by means of a cover H3 which isformed with an internal thread. Into this cover the so-called fillinghead H4 is threaded and in this filling head the filling tube I I5 isfixed. The filling head H4 has a lateral lug H6 through which the liquidto be conveyed into the cask or other vessel is supplied in known mannerfrom a container located on a higher level. At the lower end of thefilling tube I I5 an abutment member I I1 is arranged and this member isprovided with a conical closing valve H8. This valve body is fixed toand operated by a tube H9, which by means of a rubber diaphragm I23 islifted by the pressure of the liquid when the exposed area of thediaphragm is larger than that of the valve body I I8. (See Fig. 1.) Inorder that the said valve may be opened against the pressure of theliquid the tube H3 is passed through the cover H3 and is connected witha valve head (Fig. 5), the purpose of which will be fully describedhereinafter, and with a closing head I22 which cooperates with a cammember I23. This cam member is located on a bolt I24 and is operated bya lever I25 or a projecting finger I23 on this lever; When the lever I25is depressed the valve I I8 is opened.

The bung hole of the cask to be filled is closed by means of theso-called pressing head I27, which is fixed to a rod I28. This rod isguided in the lower cylinder cover I54 and its upper end carries anadditional dead weight I29 in order that the pressing head may rest withsufiicient pressure on the bung hole of the cask. The head I21 is liftedby means of the member II I when the filling tube I I5 is raised. (SeeFig. 1.)

When a cask is to be sterilized the disinfecting agent is introducedthrough the tube II 9. For this purpose the valve head IZI is provided,the interior of which through a bore I3I may be connected with the tubeI I9 and through another bore may be connected with the tube I32 throughwhich the disinfecting agent is supplied. The admission of thedisinfecting agent is controlled by a diaphragm valve I33, which isoperated by means of a two-armed lever I34 in a manner which will bedetailedly described hereinafter.

The remainder of the disinfecting agent is expelled from the cask byscavenging same with a sterile gas, which also is introduced through thetube H9. For this purpose the valve head I2I is connected with a tubeI35 which is controlledby means of a valve I36 the valve body of whichis equipped with a fork-shaped lever I 31. When the valve I36 is openthe scavenging air will flow into the cask through the tube I I9 andwill leave the cask through the tubes I39 or, I40, which are guided inthe tubes I I0 and I I I respectively in the manner of telescope tubes.The control device, (which will be detailedly described hereinafter) isarranged in such a manner, that the scavenging gas through the tubes H9and HE! and through the valve I4! is let out into the open air or into agas purifier (not shown). The valve MI is, like the valves I33 and I35,automatically controlled. The control is exerted by means of a lever I43which cooperates with the valve rod I42. Moreover, in conduit H8 or onanother suitable place a throttle device is arranged, which during thescavenging produces the counter-pressure needed during the fillingprocedure.

When the valve MI is closed at the beginning of the filling procedureproper the air escapes through the tubes I 49 and III and passes intothe main beer container in case the apparatus is connected with astable-pressure beer filling plant.

The individual valves which are not actuated by means of the lever I25and the cam I23 are operated automatically by suitably formed stops orabutments during the downward stroke of the filling device. The stopsare located on sleeves I44 and I45 of which I44 is adjustably arrangedon the rod I28, whereas I45 is fixed to the tubes H6 and III. The valveI33 is controlled by an upwardly yielding lever I45, which is located onthe sleeve I44, and by a roller 43 on the sleeve I45. The downwardmovement of the valve I22 and the two-armed lever I34 will continue alsoafter the pressing head I21 has been brought into contact with the cask.When the lever I34 is operated the valve is opened and shortly beforethe termination of the downward stroke of the filling tube said leverI34 will contact with the roller I4'I' whereby the valve again isclosed. On account of the resiliency of the lever I45 the valve I33 isnot opened when the filling tube is lifted.

The valve I36 is operated by a projection I48 which is formed on thesleeve I 45. When the projection I48 is caught by the fork-shaped leverI31 the valve is opened. The abutments or projections I41 and I48 arelying on diiierent levels and the distance between these members is sodimensioned, that the valve I33 is closed before the valve I35 isopened. When the filling tube is raised the valve I36 is again closedautomatically.

The valve H8 can only be opened by the cam I23 when the locking deviceis in released 1. e. inoperative state. The locking device consists of acylinder I which is filled with oil and in which a piston I5I with apiston rod I52 and a spring I53 are located. The piston rod is pivotallyarranged on a pin I54 which is carried by a projecting part of thecylinder cover I84. The cylinder has a projecting part I55 in which alongitudinal hole I56 is formed and the cylinder is fixed to a bolt I5'Iin a lever I 58 which is pivotally arranged on the sleeve I45. The leverI58 is equipped with a projecting part I59 and with a segmental memberI60. The sleeve I45 also serves as a bearing for a second two-armedlever I6I, the one arm of which lies in the path of the segmental memberI60 and the other arm of which lies in the path of the projection I28.In the position shown in Fig. 2 movements of the lever I25 areprevented, since one arm of the lever I 6! is arrested by the stop I26and the other arm of said lever is arrested by the segmental member I50on the lever I58.

In Fig. 2 the locking device is shown in tensioned state i. e. inlooking position. The looking device is tensioned during the downwardstroke of the filling tube by means or a roller I62, which is arrangedon the arm I58. A denotes the original position of the roller and Bdenotes the position taken up by the roller when the pressing headcontacts with the cask. When the lever I53 is still in the positionshown in Fig. 3 the roller I62 continues its downward movement andstrikes against the projecting part I59 which is turned downward. Herebythe cylinder I50 is moved downward whereby simultaneously the spring I53is tensioned. The oil in the cylinder is for instance through a by-passconduit I63 conveyed into the lower part of the cylinder. During thecontinued downward movement the roller I62 again releases the lever I58and the cylinder I53 and consequently also the lever I58 :are forcedslowly upward-by the pres- ;sure of thespring L53. Thevelocity of thismovementmay be regulated at will by altering the cross-sectional area-ofthe by-pass conduit I53. Finally the projecting part I59 is brought intothe position shown in Fig. 3. The two-armed lever I6! is released andthevalve II8 may now be opened by actuating the lever I25 by hand. InFig. 3 theopen position of the lever I25 is indicated in dotted lines.

When the fillingtube moves upward and the projection I26 strikes againsta roller I64 on the sleeve I45 the valve I I8 is again closedautomatically. The distance between this roller andthe lowermostposition of the projection I26 is so dimensioned, that the caskistotally filled before the supply is stopped.

Fig. 6 shows a device for preventing a premature opening of the fillingvalve, which device is controlled by means of a cylinder. During thedownward stroke of the filling member, the lever I58 takes the cylinderI50 along withit and the oil in same is forced under the piston I5I. Thespring I53 moves again the cylinder Iiiilupward whereby the latter takesthe lever I58 along with it. At the end of its movement the lever abutsagainst a contact I65 whereby a circuit is closed and an incandescentlamp is ignited or a bell, a loudspeaker or the like is operated to showthe beer drawer the proper moment for opening the filling valve.

According to Figs. 7-9 the signal is released by a medium flowing fromone container into another one. The switch member which is pivotallyarranged on the stationary bolt I68 takes up the position shown in Fig.9 when the filling member is in its upper position. During the downwardstroke of the filling member the roller I62 strikes against the switchmember I67, IS'Ia which consists of two vessels interconnected by anarrow bore and which is turned on its pivot into the position shown inFig. '7. The switch is forced past theyielding locking finger I73 andcomes to rest with'its upper end resting. against the upper surface ofsaid finger. One of these vessels (according to Fig. 2 the vessel I6'Ia)is filled with a liquid or with fine sand or the like. This medium willfiow through the bore into the vessel I61. After a period ofpredetermined length, so much sand will have flowed into the vessel I51,that theswitch body is turnedinto a substantially vertical position(Fig. 8) in which it "is pressed against a contact I69 and the circuitof the lamp I66 or another signal-giving device is-closed. During theupward stroke of the filling member the roller IFIO impacts with thelever III (Fig. 8) and turns the switch into the position shown in Fig.9, whereby the vessel 161a is forced past the yielding locking fingerI12 into its position of rest.

While I have described my invention as embodied in concrete form and asoperating in a specific mannerin accordance with the provisions of thepatent statutes, it should be understood that I do not limit myinvention thereto since various modifications thereof will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritof my invention the scope of which is set forth in the annexed claims.

I claim:-

1. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollow valvestem, said valve stem being also adapted to leada sterilization .aentand subquently a scavenging agent into the vessels to be filled, anda locking deviceadapted to be set by the filling member during itsdownward stroke and to release the valve .at a predetermined moment.

3. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuousprocedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollow valvestem, said valve stem being also adapted to lead a sterilization agentand subsequently a scavenging agentinto the ves sels to be filled, andatimed locking device adapted to be set by the filling member during itsdownward stroke and to release the valve at a predetermined moment.

4. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, arecip- .roeable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollowvalve stem, said valve stem being also adapted to lead a sterilizationagent and subsequently a scavenging agent into the vessels to be filled,and a signal device adapted to be set by the filling member during itsdownward stroke and to indicate the correct moment for opening saidvalve.

5. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like, in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollow valvestem, said valve stembeing also adapted to lead a sterilization agentand subsequently a scavenging agent into the vessels to be filled, and atimed signal device adapted to beset by the filling member during itsdownward stroke and to indicate the correct moment for opening saidvalve.

6. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollow valvestem, said valve stem being also adapted to lead a sterilization agentand subseguently a scavenging agent into the vessels to be filled, andan optical signal device adapted'to be set by'the filling member duringits downward stroke and to indicate the correct moment for opening saidvalve. I

'7. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollow valvestem, said valve stem being also adapted to lead a sterilization agentand suband a locking device comprising a cylinder, a piston in saidcylinder, and a working medium in said cylinder, and being adapted to beset by the filling member during its downward stroke and to release thefilling valve at a predetermined moment.

9. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member, a filling valve in same and a controldevice comprising a cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, and a workingmedium in said cylinder and being adapted to be set by the fillingmember during its downward stroke and to operate a signal device at apredetermined moment.

10. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollow valvestem said'valve stem being also adapted to lead a sterilization agentand sub sequently a scavenging agent into the vessels to be filled, anda control device comprising a spring-actuated driving mechanism andbeing adapted to be set by the filling member during its downward strokeand to release the valve at a predetermined moment.

11. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciproeable filling member a filling valve in same and a control devicecomprising two containers which perform a tilting movement when a fluidis allowed to fiow from one container into the other, said controldevice being adapted to be set by the filling member during its downwardstroke and to close a signal circuit at a predetermined moment.

12. An apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like, comprising, in combination, a supply pipe for theliquid, a reciprocable filling member attached to the lower end of saidpipe, means for holding said member in immediate contact with the vesselto be filled during the entire filling operation, a valve for supplyinga sterilizing agent, a filling valve, 2. guide and tightening memberadapted to be pressed upon the opening of the vessel to be filled, aguide rod movable together with said guide and tightening member,abutment members attached to said rod, for opening and closing the valvefor the sterilizing agent during the upward movement of the fillingmember and a control device adapted to be set by the filling memberduring its downward stroke and to release said filling valve at apredetermined moment.

13. An apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like, comprising, in combination, a supply pipe for theliquid, a reciprocable filling member attached to the lower end of saidpipe, means for holding said member in immediate contact with the vesselto be filled during the entire filling operation, a valve for supplyinga sterilizing agent, a filling valve, a guide and tightening memberadapted to be pressed upon the opening of the vessel to be filled,

a guide rod movable together with said guide and tightening member,abutment members attached to said rod, for opening and closing the Valvefor the sterilizing agent during the upward movement of the fillingmember and a locking device adapted to be set by the filling memberduring its downward stroke and to release said filling valve at apredetermined moment.

14. An apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like, comprising, in combination, a supply pipe for theliquid, a reciprocable filling member attached to the lower end of saidpipe, means for holding said member in immediate contact with the vesselto be filled during the entire filling operation, a valve for supplyinga sterilizing agent, a filling valve, a guide and tightening memberadapted to be pressed upon the opening of the vessel to be filled, aguide rod movable together with said guide and tightening member,abutment members attached to said rod, for opening and closing the valvefor the sterilizing agent during the upward movement of the fillingmember, and a signal device adapted to be set by the filling memberduring its downward stroke and to release a signal at a predeterminedmoment.

15. An apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like, comprising, in combination, a supply pipe for theliquid, a reciprocable filling member attached to the lower end of saidpipe, means for holding said filling member in immediate contact withthe vessel to be filled during the entire filling operation, a valve forsupplying a sterilizing agent, a filling valve,

a guide and tightening member adapted to be pressed upon the opening ofthe vessel to be filled, a guide rod movable together with said guideand tightening member, abutment members attached to said rod, foropening and closing the valve for the sterilizing agent during theupward movement of the filling member and a liquid control adapted to beset by the filling member during its downward stroke and to release saidfilling valve at a predetermined moment.

16. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollow valvestem, said valve stem being also adapted to lead a sterilization agentand subsequently a scavenging agent into the vessels to be filled, andautomatically operating means for preventing a premature opening of saidvalve.

17. In an apparatus for the sterilization and the sterile filling ofvessels and the like in one continuous procedure, in combination, areciprocable filling member comprising a valve body and a hollow valvestem, said valve stem being also adapted to lead a sterilization agentinto the vessels to be filled, a locking device adapted to be set by thefilling member during its downward stroke and to release the valve at apredetermined moment, and a signal device also adapted to be set by thefilling member during its downward stroke and to indicate the propermoment for opening said valve.

' FRIEDRICH STEGEMANN.

